Mixed response from stalwart Northampton town centre businesses as WNC parking increases come into effect
There has been a split reaction from two stalwart Northampton town centre businesses, as car parking price increases by West Northamptonshire Council came into effect earlier this month.
The local authority voted through changes to its parking fees on February 26 in its 2026/27 budget, despite a petition to stop the proposals gaining more than 1,400 signatures.
WNC had already announced it would be reversing plans put forward in the draft budget to start charging users of car parks in Daventry, Towcester and Brackley, but no such relief was given to the scrapping of two hours free parking in Northampton at weekends and other fee uplifts.
The changes came into effect on April 10 and saw parking prices rise across all time bands. In the busiest central areas, the cost of pay-and-display parking for up to 30 minutes has increased from 70p to 80p, while a one-hour stay has gone from £1.40 to £1.60. 24-hour parking has risen from £2.80 to £3.20.
Longer stays also became more expensive. For example, in areas such as St John’s Street and Cliftonville, parking for up to four hours increased from £4.20 to £4.80. All-day parking on The Avenue also rose from £7 to £8.
The increases extended beyond pay-and-display charges, with permit holders also facing higher costs. A residents’ annual permit has increased from £35 to £45, while business permits rose from £350 to £450.
‘The people who were complaining never shopped in the town in the first place’
Julie Teckman of Vintage Guru in St Giles’ Street spoke to the Chronicle & Echo as it was approaching two weeks since the increased parking charges came into effect in the town centre.
“We haven’t really noticed a lot of difference,” said Julie. “There’s been no complaining or change in footfall, and it seems that actually people are paying more for their parking.”
Julie admits that she was thinking about establishing a promotion with her fellow town centre independents to entice shoppers, but has not felt the need to do that yet.
There has been no difference on Saturdays and a slight dip on Sundays when looking at year-on-year figures, but Julie says there is no way to determine whether this has been caused by the change in parking costs.
The business owner says that the weather plays a huge role in the amount of custom they get, and there are still so many visitors discovering them for the first time despite having been open in the same location for the past eight years.
“I’m not sure what’s bringing them into the town centre,” said Julie. “Nobody is boycotting the town centre [because of the car parking increases]. The people who shop in town are still shopping in town, and the people who were complaining never shopped in the town in the first place.”
‘We could all walk away’
Kathryn Ozlati of Saint Gyles Jewellers on St Giles’ Street spoke to this newspaper on the same day as Julie to share her views.
“I’m hearing that it has made a significant difference,” said Kathryn. “There are people who work in the town that need to have access to the car parks and this is more money out of their already taxed income.”
Kathryn explained it is having as drastic of an impact that some employers are not extending contracts because of it, as businesses have to find the money somewhere alongside other rising costs.
“Car parking costs can be a business expense and yet again it is on the employers to cover the cost,” she said. “The money has to be found. Lower footfall is also contributing, as the lower the footfall, the less staff are needed and contracts will not be renewed.”
Kathryn insinuated that these car parking increases have been the icing on the cake, as employers already cover pension contributions, statutory sick pay and the newly-introduced increase in minimum wage.
“Footfall for us is down, particularly on Saturdays, whether that’s because of parking I don’t know,” said Kathryn. “Customers are commenting, asking why would I come into town when there’s nothing to see, it’s untidy and there are fewer retail shops.
“The high street is an integral part of any town and we need people to support us in order to continue. It’s not viable if we don’t get customers in to use us. I really do try my hardest.”
Looking to the future of Northampton town centre and how to address the situation it finds itself in, Kathryn would like to see a big clean-up and retailers being encouraged back.
“Our voice isn’t being heard,” she concluded. “Retailers need to be encouraged back into the town, and there need to be rewards for the people brave and stupid enough to do it. We could all walk away.”